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Jean Zinn-Justin

Publications and source records attributed to Jean Zinn-Justin.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
arXiv2024

Instantons in $ϕ^4$ Theories: Transseries, Virial Theorems and Numerical Aspects

We discuss numerical aspects of instantons in two- and three-dimensional $ϕ^4$ theories with an internal $O(N)$ symmetry group, the so-called $N$-vector model. Combining asymptotic transseries expansions for large argument with convergence acceleration techniques, we obtain high-precision values for certain integrals of the instanton that naturally occur in loop corrections around instanton configurations. Knowledge of these numerical properties are necessary in order to evaluate corrections to the large-order factorial growth of perturbation theory in $ϕ^4$ theories. The results contribute to the understanding of the mathematical structures underlying the instanton configurations.

hep-th↗
arXiv2021

Correlation Functions of the Anharmonic Oscillator: Numerical Verification of Two-Loop Corrections to the Large-Order Behavior

Recently, the large-order behavior of correlation functions of the $O(N)$-anharmonic oscillator has been analyzed by us in [L. T. Giorgini et el., Phys. Rev. D 101, 125001 (2020)]. Two-loop corrections about the instanton configurations were obtained for the partition function, and the two-point and four-point functions, and the derivative of the two-point function at zero momentum transfer. Here, we attempt to verify the obtained analytic results against numerical calculations of higher-order coefficients for the $O(1)$, $O(2)$, and $O(3)$ oscillators, and demonstrate the drastic improvement of the agreement of the large-order asymptotic estimates and perturbation theory upon the inclusion of the two-loop corrections to the large-order behavior.

hep-th↗
arXiv2014

3D Field Theories with Chern--Simons Term for Large $N$ in the Weyl Gauge

Three dimensional, $U(N)$ symmetric, field theory with fermion matter coupled to a topological Chern--Simons term, in the large $N$ limit is analyzed in details. We determine the conditions for the existence of a massless conformal invariant ground state as well as the conditions for a massive phase. We analyze the phase structure and calculate gauge invariant corelators comparing them in several cases to existing results. In addition to the non-critical explicitly broken scale invariance massive case we consider also a massive ground state where the scale symmetry is spontaneously broken. We show that such a phase appears only in the presence of a marginal deformation that is introduced by adding a certain scalar auxiliary field and discuss the fermion-boson dual mapping. The ground state contains in this case a massless $U(N)$ singlet bound state goldstone boson- the dilaton whose properties are determined. We employ here the temporal gauge which is at variance with respect to past calculations using the light-cone gauge and thus, a check (though limited) of gauge independence is at hand. The large $N$ properties are determined by using a field integral formalism and the steepest descent method. The saddle point equations, which take here the form of integral equations for non-local fields, determine the mass gap and the dressed fermion propagator. Vertex functions are calculated at leading order in $1/N$ as exact solutions of integral equations. From the vertex functions, we infer gauge invariant two-point correlation functions for scalar operators and a current. Indications about the consistency of the method are obtained by verifying that gauge-invariant quantities have a natural $O(3)$ covariant form. As a further verification, in several occasions, a few terms of the perturbative expansion are calculated and compared with the exact results in the appropriate order.

hep-th↗
arXiv2014

Random vector and matrix and vector theories: a renormalization group approach

Random matrices in the large N expansion and the so-called double scaling limit can be used as toy models for quantum gravity: 2D quantum gravity coupled to conformal matter. This has generated a tremendous expansion of random matrix theory, tackled with increasingly sophisticated mathematical methods and number of matrix models have been solved exactly. However, the somewhat paradoxical situation is that either models can be solved exactly or little can be said. Since the solved models display critical points and universal properties, it is tempting to use renormalization group ideas to determine universal properties, without solving models explicitly. Initiated by Brézin and Zinn-Justin, the approach has led to encouraging results, first for matrix integrals and then quantum mechanics with matrices, but has not yet become a universal tool as initially hoped. In particular, general quantum field theories with matrix fields require more detailed investigations. To better understand some of the encountered difficulties, we first apply analogous ideas to the simpler O(N) symmetric vector models, models that can be solved quite generally in the large N limit. Unlike other attempts, our method is a close extension of Brézin and Zinn-Justin. Discussing vector and matrix models with similar approximation scheme, we notice that in all cases (vector and matrix integrals, vector and matrix path integrals in the local approximation), at leading order, non-trivial fixed points satisfy the same universal algebraic equation, and this is the main result of this work. However, its precise meaning and role have still to be better understood.

math-ph↗
arXiv2010

Calculation of the Characteristic Functions of Anharmonic Oscillators

The energy levels of quantum systems are determined by quantization conditions. For one-dimensional anharmonic oscillators, one can transform the Schrodinger equation into a Riccati form, i.e., in terms of the logarithmic derivative of the wave function. A perturbative expansion of the logarithmic derivative of the wave function can easily be obtained. The Bohr-Sommerfeld quantization condition can be expressed in terms of a contour integral around the poles of the logarithmic derivative. Its functional form is B_m(E,g) = n + 1/2, where B is a characteristic function of the anharmonic oscillator of degree m, E is the resonance energy, and g is the coupling constant. A recursive scheme can be devised which facilitates the evaluation of higher-order Wentzel-Kramers-Brioullin (WKB) approximants. The WKB expansion of the logarithmic derivative of the wave function has a cut in the tunneling region. The contour integral about the tunneling region yields the instanton action plus corrections, summarized in a second characteristic function A_m(E,g). The evaluation of A_m(E,g) by the method of asymptotic matching is discussed for the case of the cubic oscillator of degree m=3.

math-ph↗
arXiv2010

Summation of divergent series: Order-dependent mapping

Summation methods play a very important role in quantum field theory because all perturbation series are divergent and the expansion parameter is not always small. A number of methods have been tried in this context, most notably Pade approximants, Borel--Pade summation, Borel transformation with mapping, which we briefly describe and one on which we concentrate here, Order-Dependent Mapping (ODM). We recall the basis of the method, for a class of series we give intuitive arguments to explain its convergence and illustrate its properties by several simple examples. Since the method was proposed, some rigorous convergence proofs were given. The method has also found a number of applications and we shall list a few.

math-ph↗
arXiv2006

Fixed point stability and decay of correlations

In the framework of the renormalization-group theory of critical phenomena, a quantitative description of many continuous phase transitions can be obtained by considering an effective $Φ^4$ theories, having an N-component fundamental field $Φ_i$ and containing up to fourth-order powers of the field components. Their renormalization-group flow is usually characterized by several fixed points. We give here strong arguments in favour of the following conjecture: the stable fixed point corresponds to the fastest decay of correlations, that is, is the one with the largest values of the critical exponent $η$ describing the power-law decay of the two-point function at criticality. We prove this conjecture in the framework of the $ε$-expansion. Then, we discuss its validity beyond the $ε$-expansion. We present several lower-dimensional cases, mostly three-dimensional, which support the conjecture. We have been unable to find a counterexample.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗
arXiv2005

Multi-Instantons and Exact Results II: Specific Cases, Higher-Order Effects, and Numerical Calculations

In this second part of the treatment of instantons in quantum mechanics, the focus is on specific calculations related to a number of quantum mechanical potentials with degenerate minima. We calculate the leading multi-instanton constributions to the partition function, using the formalism introduced in the first part of the treatise [J. Zinn-Justin and U. D. Jentschura, e-print quant-ph/0501136]. The following potentials are considered: (i) asymmetric potentials with degenerate minima, (ii) the periodic cosine potential, (iii) anharmonic oscillators with radial symmetry, and (iv) a specific potential which bears an analogy with the Fokker-Planck equation. The latter potential has the peculiar property that the perturbation series for the ground-state energy vanishes to all orders and is thus formally convergent (the ground-state energy, however, is nonzero and positive). For the potentials (ii), (iii), and (iv), we calculate the perturbative B-function as well as the instanton A-function to fourth order in g. We also consider the double-well potential in detail, and present some higher-order analytic as well as numerical calculations to verify explicitly the related conjectures up to the order of three instantons. Strategies analogous to those outlined here could result in new conjectures for problems where our present understanding is more limited.

quant-ph↗
arXiv2005

Multi-Instantons and Exact Results I: Conjectures, WKB Expansions, and Instanton Interactions

We consider specific quantum mechanical model problems for which perturbation theory fails to explain physical properties like the eigenvalue spectrum even qualitatively, even if the asymptotic perturbation series is augmented by resummation prescriptions to "cure" the divergence in large orders of perturbation theory. Generalizations of perturbation theory are necessary which include instanton configurations, characterized by nonanalytic factors exp(-a/g) where a is a constant and g is the coupling. In the case of one-dimensional quantum mechanical potentials with two or more degenerate minima, the energy levels may be represented as an infinite sum of terms each of which involves a certain power of a nonanalytic factor and represents itself an infinite divergent series. We attempt to provide a unified representation of related derivations previously found scattered in the literature. For the considered quantum mechanical problems, we discuss the derivation of the instanton contributions from a semi-classical calculation of the corresponding partition function in the path integral formalism. We also explain the relation with the corresponding WKB expansion of the solutions of the Schroedinger equation, or alternatively of the Fredholm determinant det(H-E) (and some explicit calculations that verify this correspondence). We finally recall how these conjectures naturally emerge from a leading-order summation of multi-instanton contributions to the path integral representation of the partition function. The same strategy could result in new conjectures for problems where our present understanding is more limited.

quant-ph↗
arXiv2004

Instantons in Quantum Mechanics and Resurgent Expansions

Certain quantum mechanical potentials give rise to a vanishing perturbation series for at least one energy level (which as we here assume is the ground state), but the true ground-state energy is positive. We show here that in a typical case, the eigenvalue may be expressed in terms of a generalized perturbative expansion (resurgent expansion). Modified Bohr-Sommerfeld quantization conditions lead to generalized perturbative expansions which may be expressed in terms of nonanalytic factors of the form exp(-a/g), where a > 0 is the instanton action, and power series in the coupling g, as well as logarithmic factors. The ground-state energy, for the specific Hamiltonians, is shown to be dominated by instanton effects, and we provide numerical evidence for the validity of the related conjectures.

hep-ph↗
arXiv2003

Quantum Field Theory in the Large N Limit: a review

We review the solutions of O(N) and U(N) quantum field theories in the large $N$ limit and as 1/N expansions, in the case of vector representations. Since invariant composite fields have small fluctuations for large $N$, the method relies on constructing effective field theories for composite fields after integration over the original degrees of freedom. We first solve a general scalar $U(\phib^2)$ field theory for $N$ large and discuss various non-perturbative physical issues such as critical behaviour. We show how large $N$ results can also be obtained from variational calculations.We illustrate these ideas by showing that the large $N$ expansion allows to relate the $(\phib^2)^2$ theory and the non-linear $σ$-model, models which are renormalizable in different dimensions. Similarly, a relation between $CP(N-1)$ and abelian Higgs models is exhibited. Large $N$ techniques also allow solving self-interacting fermion models. A relation between the Gross--Neveu, a theory with a four-fermi self-interaction, and a Yukawa-type theory renormalizable in four dimensions then follows. We discuss dissipative dynamics, which is relevant to the approach to equilibrium, and which in some formulation exhibits quantum mechanics supersymmetry. This also serves as an introduction to the study of the 3D supersymmetric quantum field theory. Large $N$ methods are useful in problems that involve a crossover between different dimensions. We thus briefly discuss finite size effects, finite temperature scalar and supersymmetric field theories. We also use large $N$ methods to investigate the weakly interacting Bose gas. The solution of the general scalar $U(\phib^2)$ field theory is then applied to other issues like tricritical behaviour and double scaling limit.

hep-th↗
arXiv2002

Phase Structure of Supersymmetric Models at Finite Temperature

We study O(N) symmetric supersymmetric models in three dimensions at finite temperature. These models are known to have an interesting phase structures. In particular, in the limit $N \to \infty$ one finds spontaneous breaking of scale invariance with no explicit breaking. Supersymmetry is softly broken at finite temperature and the peculiar phase structure and properties seen at T=0 are studied here at finite temperature.

hep-th↗
arXiv1999

The transition temperature of the dilute interacting Bose gas for $N$ internal degrees of freedom

We calculate explicitly the variation $δT_c$ of the Bose-Einstein condensation temperature $T_c$ induced by weak repulsive two-body interactions to leading order in the interaction strength. As shown earlier by general arguments, $δT_c/T_c$ is linear in the dimensionless product $an^{1/3}$ to leading order, where $n$ is the density and $a$ the scattering length. This result is non-perturbative, and a direct perturbative calculation of the amplitude is impossible due to infrared divergences familiar from the study of the superfluid helium lambda transition. Therefore we introduce here another standard expansion scheme, generalizing the initial model which depends on one complex field to one depending on $N$ real fields, and calculating the temperature shift at leading order for large $N$. The result is explicit and finite. The reliability of the result depends on the relevance of the large $N$ expansion to the situation N=2, which can in principle be checked by systematic higher order calculations. The large $N$ result agrees remarkably well with recent numerical simulations.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗
arXiv1999

Renormalization of gauge theories and master equation

The evolution of ideas which has led from the first proofs of the renormalizability of non-abelian gauge theories, based on Slavnov--Taylor identities, to the modern proof based on the BRS symmetry and the master equation is recalled. This lecture has been delivered at the {\bf Symposium in the Honour of Professor C. N. Yang}, Stony-Brook, May 21-22 1999.

hep-th↗
arXiv1998

Determination of critical exponents and equation of state by field theory method

Path integrals have played a fundamental role in emphasizing the profound analogies between Quantum Field Theory (QFT), and Classical as well as Quantum Statistical Physics. Ideas coming from Statistical Physics have then led to a deeper understanding of Quantum Field Theory and open the way for a wealth of non-perturbative methods. Conversely QFT methods are become essential for the description of the phase transitions and critical phenomena beyond mean field theory. This is the point we want to illustrate here. We therefore review the methods, based on renormalized phi^4_3 quantum field theory and renormalization group, which have led to an accurate determination of critical exponents of the N-vector model, and more recently of the equation of state of the 3D Ising model. The starting point is the perturbative expansion for RG functions or the effective potential to the order presently available. Perturbation theory is known to be divergent and its divergence has been related to instanton contributions. This has allowed to characterize the large order behaviour of perturbation series, an information that can be used to efficiently "sum" them. Practical summation methods based on Borel transformation and conformal mapping have been developed, leading to the most accurate results available probing field theory in a non perturbative regime. We illustrate the methods with a short discussion of the scaling equation of state of the 3D Ising model. Compared to exponents its determination involves a few additional (non-trivial) technical steps, like the use of the parametric representation, and the order-dependent mapping.

hep-th↗
arXiv1998

Vector models in the large $N$ limit: a few applications

In these lecture notes prepared for the 11th Taiwan Spring School, Taipei 1997}, and updated for the Saalburg summer school 1998, we review the solutions of O(N) or U(N) models in the large N limit and as 1/N expansions, in the case of vector representations. The general idea is that invariant composite fields have small fluctuations for N large. Therefore the method relies on constructing effective field theories for these composite fields after integration over the initial degrees of freedom. We illustrate these ideas by showing that the large N expansion allows to relate the phib^2^2 theory and the non-linear sigma-model, models which are renormalizable in different dimensions. In the same way large N techniques allow to relate the Gross--Neveu, an example of a theory with four-fermi self-interaction, with a Yukawa-type theory renormalizable in four dimensions, a topic relevant for four dimensional field theory. Among other issues for which large N methods are also useful we will briefly discuss finite size effects and finite temperature field theory, because they involve a crossover between different dimensions.\par Finally we consider the case of a general scalar V(phib^2) field theory, explain how the large N techniques can be generalized, and discuss some connected issues like tricritical behaviour and double scaling limit. Some sections in these notes are directly adapted from the work Zinn-Justin J., 1989, Quantum Field Theory and Critical Phenomena, Clarendon Press (Oxford third ed. 1996).

hep-th↗
arXiv1998

Critical Exponents of the N-vector model

Recently the series for two RG functions (corresponding to the anomalous dimensions of the fields phi and phi^2) of the 3D phi^4 field theory have been extended to next order (seven loops) by Murray and Nickel. We examine here the influence of these additional terms on the estimates of critical exponents of the N-vector model, using some new ideas in the context of the Borel summation techniques. The estimates have slightly changed, but remain within errors of the previous evaluation. Exponents like eta (related to the field anomalous dimension), which were poorly determined in the previous evaluation of Le Guillou--Zinn-Justin, have seen their apparent errors significantly decrease. More importantly, perhaps, summation errors are better determined. The change in exponents affects the recently determined ratios of amplitudes and we report the corresponding new values. Finally, because an error has been discovered in the last order of the published epsilon=4-d expansions (order epsilon^5), we have also reanalyzed the determination of exponents from the epsilon-expansion. The conclusion is that the general agreement between epsilon-expansion and 3D series has improved with respect to Le Guillou--Zinn-Justin.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗